Keep eye on WLMH ball, say officials

Byelection money for NF has locals frustrated, angry

On a normal day it is not unusual to hear talk of West Lincoln Memorial Hospital arise in one form or another, but recent provincial funding announced for a new hospital in Niagara Falls has locals saying, “Hey, what about us?”

On the street, at the grocery store in meetings, calls to NewsNow have all garnered countless queries with one core question, “What is ‘really’ going on?”

Murray Martin, president and CEO Hamilton Health Sciences, which recently amalgamated with WLMH, said he understands concerns, but says his team’s work continues unfettered.

“Every site of Hamilton Health Sciences has a unique role in our regional healthcare system,” said Martin.

“The same will be true for West Lincoln Memorial Hospital. We are continuing to work with our partners at the Hamilton
Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to ensure the continuity of local health care services in West Niagara. This includes making the redevelopment of the existing site a priority. I can assure our community that HHS is continuing to promote the need for a redeveloped hospital in Grimsby at every opportunity. We’d like to thank the LHIN and the Ministry for continuing to work with us.”

WLMH president Rebecca Repa, noted that events of last week are just one reason redevelopment is a fitting piece to the local health care puzzle.

“A shining example of this was the recent flooding at Hamilton’s hospitals. Everyone here immediately stepped up to help support our colleagues across HHS and our healthcare system by quickly responding to requests for patients to be transferred to our facility to help alleviate the situation in Hamilton,” said Repa.

Kurt Whitnell, HHS board of directors member and former WLMH board chair, said he remains confident.

“I can certainly understand the community’s concern regarding our redevelopment project,” said Whitnell.

“As a part of the HHS family, however, I am confident that West Lincoln will have a long and sustainable future as a key provider of services in our region.”